Typically, the airline contracts with a separate cleaner who will remove all linens at each stop. In McGrail's experience, ?Used blankets would be taken off the plane and washed on ground after every flight in a boiling hot wash, then placed inside individually sealed plastic bags ready for the next flight.

Delta Air Lines has a robust sustainability and hygiene program for its onboard blankets. After every flight, all used blankets—including those in the main cabin and the premium "Delta One" West Elm bedding—are removed from the aircraft and sent to industrial laundry facilities. There, they are washed at high temperatures, sanitized, and then individually plastic-wrapped (or wrapped in paper bands for sustainability) to ensure the next passenger receives a fresh, germ-free item. In 2026, Delta has transitioned away from many single-use plastics, often using recycled materials for the blankets themselves. Blankets that have reached the end of their service life and are too worn for passenger use are not simply discarded; Delta frequently donates them to animal shelters and homeless charities through its community outreach programs. By recycling and repurposing these textiles, the airline minimizes its landfill impact while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and comfort for its passengers. This circular economy approach is a key part of their broader "Flight to Net Zero" environmental goals.